KAEDE AND HANAMICHI'S PUNISHMENT

"How's Shohoku?" Emperor Maki whispered into Hanamichi's sensitive ear. The prince was constantly reminiscing about his unforgettable vacation in his homeland with Kaede while looking at the vast Ryonan City from his room's terrace.

Hanamichi mirthfully faced the Emperor and gave him a warm embrace. "Good, Emperor."

"Have you talked to your father?"

Yes, he talked to King Akagi, but it ended with an argument. Hanamichi was prepared to surrender everything... his throne, his dignity, his riches and his pride for the love of Kaede Rukawa. Even if it meant to be a slave too, as long as he would live each day with him.

"We... talked about my throne." Hanamichi couldn't look straight into Maki's brown eyes.

"What about your throne, my son?"

"Emperor... I can't marry Akira."

Maki kissed the prince' forehead lovingly. "I'm not forcing you."

Suddenly, heaven fell on earth. Hanamichi had never been so happy in his life. "You're setting me free?"

Maki lifted his chin gently. "You've always been free, my precious one."

"Can I marry anyone I want?" Hanamichi asked with excitement but only to be disappointed.

"Hana, you are Kanagawa. I blessed you to be. No one can change that. Whoever you marry shall be my successor."

"But..."

"Don't falter. I shall order for a congregation of princes so you'll have a wide variety of options."

The night the Princes' congregation had finally come. Tonight, Hanamichi shall choose his future husband and Kanagawa will have its future Emperor.

All unmarried Princes from the entire Kanagawa went in the congregation, hoping to have the Emperor's throne and marry the most handsome Prince in their land.

Maki was constantly perched on his golden throned watching the dance of sexy women in the middle. Beside him was Hanamichi.

Suddenly, a prince with a long black curly hair approached the throne and kissed Maki's hand. "I'm glad to see you, my Emperor."

"The last time I saw you, you were just very little." Maki was exhilarated to see a once kid into a fine young man.

"Hanamichi..." Maki gently touched the Shohoku prince' hand. "This is Prince Kishimoto of Toyotama City."

Kishimoto kissed the prince's hand and Hanamichi paid him with an amicable smile. "Are you enjoying the party?" Hanamichi queried.

Meanwhile, ten meters from the throne, near the bottom of the throne's flatform, Kenji was stationed in his silver throne.

"Your charm had never failed to entice the Emperor." Someone whispered in his ear.

Kenji glanced at the origin of the voice and saw Akira's obnoxious face. "Anything I can do for you?"

Akira gave him a sarcastic smile. "You've done half my job, King. You;re the one who insisted the Emperor to let Hanamichi choose his husband."

"I think Hanamichi should really choose his husband."

Akira smirked. "Look at all the princes dressed luxuriously and came miles away only to have Hanamichi's hand. They are wasting teir effort."

"What do you mean?"

"Even before this party was heralded, Hanamichi had found the man he wants to marry."

"Who? You?"

Akira smiled at the King. "You'll know." Then walked towards the throne and asked permission from the Emperor to speak in the general mass.

Prince Kishimoto stepped down the throne for the mean time.

"My dear royalties and nobles." Akira spoke with confidence. "Let me present to you the man Hanamichi had chosen to marry."

Many princes were wondering. Some of them had not yet been introduced to Hanamichi and they were already rejected.

Hanamichi was glaring at Akira. He hasn't selected his future husband.

"Open the door." Akira ordered and the gigantic double door of the ballroom opened. A poor man stripped from all his clothes excpet his undergarment appeared. A metal chain wrapped in his wrists and his whole body was drenched with his own sweat and blood.

Hanamichi almost lose his breath as he recognize the man as Kaede. Four prison guards alternately whipped Kaede's back and front to keep him moving.

"This is Kaede Rukawa, the Prince of slaves." Akira announced to all the guests and everyone was surprised.

"What is this?" Maki was swearing that if Akira was doing this to ruin Hanamichi's reputation, he would thrown him into a far away land.

When Kaede had finally reached the bottom of the flatform, Akira walked towards him and faced him as a man. "Kneel before me."

Even if Kaede refused, the prison guards forced him to kneel on the floor before Akira.

Hanamichi had all the sadness and pity for his lover. He couldn't bare to see him in that state. His brown eyes reflected deep concern and worry that Maki apparently noticed.

"Is this true?" Maki asked the Prince. "IS THIS TRUE?"

Hanamichi wanted to lie but Akira warned him. "Lie and this man of your shall perish."

The Shohoku prince' body trembled as he looked at the Emperor. "Yes."

All of the guests were shocked. Hanamichi saw Kaede's whole face covered with his messy wet black hair and was still kneeling before Akira exhaustedly.

"You are embarassing me in front of all these people." Maki was putting all the blame to the redheaded prince. "Akira... come here."

Akira inched towards the Emperor who took his hand. "I now pronounce you as my successor." He guided Akira towards Hanamichi and put their hands together. "Seven mornings after tonight, the two of you shall be married."

Hanamichi's tears were filling once fresh face. Maki never wanted to do this but he needed to be objective. "Sleeping with a slave is punishable by law." Maki told him sternly. "When you are married to Akira, you shall obey everything he says. I shall never come between you. You will live his life and you will come to him whenever he calls you."

Kaede heard it. He couldn't imagine his precious Hanamichi under the strong ownership of Akira, but he couldn't do anything.

"For the slave..." Maki spoke with clarity and bravery. Hanamichi gazed at him with terror. He hoped Maki will save his life, he hoped Maki will let him leave. "His body shall be burnt at stake in front of all the slaves that this shall be their lesson for mingling with the royalties."

Hanamichi squeezed his eyes to ease the pain but it had no work. The prison guards pulled Kaede up from the floor as Maki continued announcing his judgment.

"Akira, when you are Emperor, always remember not to be capsulated with such beauty, such charm and such love. Rule this nation with reason and not sympathy or persistence."

Hanamichi ran towards Kaede and hugged him very tight. He whispered on his ear. "I love you. Never forget that. I'll love you forever."

The Shohoku prince' knees were weakend by pain that he slowly fell on the floor. His lips traversing Kaede's jaw, chest and abdomen.

Akira pulled him away. "Remember my prince, that you are Kanagawa and you shall not kneel before a slave."

Hanamichi could only look as Kaede left the ballroom with the four prison guards.

End of Chapter